<<Let me please say that I didn’t mean to infer that people’s pets are not important. I don’t think that women who don’t have children, either by choice or by circumstance, are inherently worse off. I apologize if anything I said came across that way.
>>
Naw, naw. I wasn’t taking it that way. And…what about drawing the line a little differently?
On the spectrum from kids to no kids, we have:
Person with no children of their own, does not socialize with any children.
No children of their own, but works with children.
No children of their own, but has nieces/nephews they hang out with, or frequently babysits for friends or family members.
No children of their own but foster parents or has short-term custody of other kids.
Step-parenting on the weekends, no kids rest of the time.
Step-parenting with older kids (not raising your own from a baby, but marrying someone with a teenager, for instance)
Adopting a child at an older age (8-10)
Adopting a younger child (4-6)
Having a baby with your spouse/partner
Having a baby on your own as a single parent.
(Needless to say #10 would freak me right out. I’m not a #1 person by choice, but am by circumstances right now. I’d love to be somewhere in #3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. Babies are cute and stuff, but call me crazy, I like teenagers. )
So…most people I’ve met that don’t want kids, it’s not that they are totally against children whatsoever, they just don’t want to leap down to 9 or 10 on the list. If we look at how much time and energy they put into raising the next generation from the other items on the list, I think just about everyone takes part in raising kids, even if they’re not parenting. Aunting and uncling is pretty important, too. </preachingtochoir>
Corr, who lacks the patience for parenting, but is good at aunting and uncling
If the doctor doesn’t get the message, try telling him that you’re too busy to have kids. If he asks what you’re so busy with, reply “sex”.
Or tell him your pet tiger doesn’t like kids.
You could also try telling him you can’t afford kids because crack is so expensive. If he suggests you quit, react as though he asked you for a blowjob.
[QUOTE] Originally posted by CrazyCatLady *
**
I hate to stomp on any parents’ toes, but all the benefits of having kids I’ve seen listed here so far, I get from my pets. Unconditional love, something to watch grow and develop, the chance to spoil another living creature completely rotten…all this can be yours for a few cans of food, a few toys, and some cuddle time.*
Yeah and Your child won’t devour your face after you have suddenly died and no one is there to feed the precious Kitty.
Seriously I have two boys and three cats. There is no comparison to the feelings and bonds you have between one and the other. Before my boys I had my cat which was the greatest thing, then My wife brought her two cats and we enjoyed them greatly. Once the boys were born, however, the cats got a great deal less of our attention.
It can’t be helped because of two things 1) the genetic/family attachment and 2) The interaction level is greater.
I was watching hockey the other night with my 14 month old in my lap and my almost 3 year old crawled into my free arm and asked me If he could watch “Hockey ball too,” The way I felt that moment I will always remember. I have never felt that kind of bond with my cat.
Not to worry though the cats are getting attention from the boys in spades!! I just don’t think they appreciate it as much.
